Check the list below to find a YoR certified counselor in your area.
International
Grace Van Berkum - Nicaragua and Toronto. Grace is a Sivananda Yoga Teacher, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer and Theta Healing Practitioner Level 1. She offers Gracious Living Yoga Adventure Retreats (5-14 days) in Nicaragua for 7 months of the year. Explore stunning, tropical Nicaragua while doing yoga and meditation and learning about raw and vegan nutrition and cooking. Surfing, volcano hiking, boat excursions, and canopy zip line tours are also available. Nicaragua offers a place to relax, recharge and rejuvenate in gorgeous settings, while learning about healthy lifestyle tips. You can hire Grace to teach a retreat in your area (yoga & cooking classes). Please check her website for more information, www.gracevanberkum.com or email Grace here.
California
Winifred Wilson – Ojai. Winifred is deeply interested in the 12-steps particularly as it relates to yoga. She began teaching One Breath at a Time, a yoga class geared specifically for those in recovery in January of 2008 and is pursuing certification as a substance abuse couselor and therapist in addition to her ongoing work as a yoga teacher. She recently launced Yoga Blue, a non-profit outreach organization to bring yoga to those recovering from substance abuse and other self-destructive behaviors. Email Winifred here
Lisa Dixon (Kamala) – San Diego
Kamala has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and became a Sivananda yoga instructor in 2002 and a certified massage therapist in 2000. She trained at the California College of Ayurveda for Ayurvedic body work and helped to establish the Ayurvedic treatment center at the Sivananda Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, CA in 2002. She went on to study Ayurveda and received a diploma in Ayurvedic Sciences from the Ayurvedic Institute of America in March 2007. Kamala has been using her experience teaching yoga and Ayurveda to create wellness programs for addiction treatment centers across California for the last 8 years. Email Kamala here
Deshan Foret (Shakti) – Grass Valley
Deshan (RYT-200), has been teaching living the yogic lifestyle for 2 years, in service to the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers. Through personal experience, she understands the wisdom and benefit of combining 12 step recovery with Yoga and Ayurveda. Deshan holds MPH credentials and has over 10 years of experience in public health education and group facilitation. Email Shakti here
Kyczy Hawk – San Jose
RYT 200, member of the Art of Yoga Project and Niroga Institute. Kyczy focuses her teaching practice on working with those in recovery and at risk youth. Having found the deep and profound benefits of hatha yoga and yoga philosophy herself, she looks to share these with others. With a few decades of recovery that include a desperate struggle against relapse, Kyczy understands the benefits that yoga can bring to those in recovery; both those new to a sober life and those wishing to continue to flourish and grow. Kyczy holds Y12SR (Yoga & 12 Step Recovery) meetings/classes at Willow Glen Yoga in San Jose. Using the tenets and tools from Yoga of Recovery trainings, she is able to work one on one with yoga students to assist them in their journey of self discovery and self care. She has written a book, Yoga and the 12 Step Path, scheduled for release by Central Recovery Press April 2012. See www.yogarecovery.com for more information.
Linda Burkard – San Francisco, East Bay.
E-RYT 500, certified yoga teacher/therapist. 14 years ago my life was in a downward spin from addiction. I began a recovery program combining the 12 steps, yoga/meditation and ayurveda. The intertwining of these paths was life changing. I have spent the last decade obtaining my E-RYT 500 teacher certification from the best schools and teachers in the country in the field of yoga therapy, Ayurveda and Addiction. I am also certified with the Niroga Institute Yoga Corps. This program enhanced my yoga training with tools for working with at-risk populations. I also give credit to the teachers of life, those in the 12 step fellowship. I do private sessions and group classes using traditional recovery tools to offer a more holistic mind, body, spirit approach helping people to address addiction and self-destructive behaviors. My classes combine yoga therapy, breathing, visual techniques, meditation, yoga & 12 step philosophy. See Linda’s webite or Email Linda here
Vincenza J. Baldino, Oakland & Vallejo
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist; Integral Hatha Yoga Teacher; EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing); California Association of Marriage Family Therapist Clinical Supervisor; Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Levels I & II; Integral Yoga Studies from CIIS (California Institute of Integral Studies). Vincenza’s clinical focus is trauma and the somatic process. She interweaves clinical theories with mindfulness practices and has guided many individuals on the recovery path from additions to self-discovery through the use of psychotherapy, 12-step philosophy, yoga asanas, yoga philosophy and specialized training in multicultural and diversity issues. She teaches “Anyone Can – Relaxation for Parents and Children” and Yoga for Parents classes. Email Vincenza here
Charles Rios (Premadas) – Sacramento.
A clinical social worker for 23 years in the field of mental health with adults, couples, teenagers and families, Charles has worked for 12 years in hospital-based, outpatient clinics for persons recovering from drug, alcohol and relationship addictions in Northern California. He is intent on service and devoted to the application and integration of Yoga of Recovery principles and practices into the Western social/cultural model of managed health care. Established in the teachings of classical yoga in the lineage of Sri Swami Sivananda, Charles maintains deep respect for the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Krishnamacharya, T. K. V. Desikachar, Vanda Scaravelli, Yogi Bhajan, and Bill W. Email Charles here
Celeste Mendelsohn – San Gabriel Valley
RYT-200, 16 years in Al-Anon. Celeste has been involved in yoga for most of her life. About 9 years ago she started studying regularly with a teacher to work on physical pain issues diagnosed as Fibromyalgia. Thie practice brought her to understand what she wanted to do with her passion for yoga – teach. That in turn showed her how well Yoga and 12 Step philosophies compliment each other and the desire to teach this multi-focused discipline was born. Celeste has developed her own teaching style using the tools she has been given in her formal training; developing cohesive foundation classes that combine asana, pranayama and meditation with the concept of satsang to create a safe and supportive learning environment for 12-Steppers and non 12-Steppers alike. Email Celeste here or visit her website www.12stepyoga.net
Deanna Parameshwari Galkin-Doran - Los Angeles Westside (LAX area)
Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training May 1995; Advanced Teacher Training June 2012 E-RYT, Yoga Therapy Certification 2009-2010 Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Los Angeles, CA, Yoga Therapy Internship with Sherry Brourman E-RYT and Physical Therapist; Graduated in December 2011. OA Member since July 2012
Parameshwari (Deanna Galkin-Doran), CYT, has practiced and taught Yoga since 1991 at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Marina del Rey.
“In my short time in the program, through working the steps with my sponsor, I have learned there IS hope for a life without obsession in my addiction. I feel the truth of the parallels between Yoga, Ayurveda and the 12-Steps and work one day at a time to apply them in my life and share the lessons I am learning with my clients and students.” Email Parameshwari here or visit her website www.parameshwariyoga.com
Kimberly Freesh - San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles
Kimberly is a yoga Teacher in the Hatha/Viniyoga Tradition, Yoga Therapist and Ayurvedic Health Practitioner.
Her birth home was abusive of both a substance and mental/emotional nature. While the growing pains were intense, she never gave up seeking a “way out” of the challenges she faced both as an Adult Child of Aloholics and emotionally abusive parents and her own struggles with food and alcohol addictions. The search to heal herself led her in to Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga Therapy Training, Ayurvedic College and, finally, to an ACA meeting where her awareness of the “problem” shifted and sent her forward with the desire to assist others to grow away from their abusive patterns and offer the hope of change through the tools of Yoga and Ayurveda. With 18 years of teaching the art and science of yoga, today she offers ongoing yoga and Ayurveda classes at her beautifully situated private studio in Chatsworth. Her moto is, “A little spark is all you need to reclaim the life that is intended for you!” Email Kimberly here
Colorado
Stephanie Willner – Bouler, CO
MS, Exercise Physiology; Yoga Alliance-Certified (Hot Yoga, Power Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Yoga for Cancer Survivors); Certified Ayurveda and Wellness Counselor; 12-Step Recovery – 12 years
Stephanie has been involved in the fitness and wellness field for over 20 years as an Exercise Physiologist, instructor, and trainer. She began practicing yoga as an evolution of her athletic endeavors as a gymnast and dancer and found that yoga went beyond physical asana practice, offering her a new insight into herself through breath and meditation. Stephanie has been teaching yoga since 2010 and has recently moved into yoga as therapy, focusing on individuals challenged by illness, injury, and addictions. Her physiology background, coupled by her personal experiences with trauma and the healing process offers her students the opportunity to approach life’s challenges by developing inner peace and acceptance. Email Stephanie here
Conneticut
Cindy Vannoy - Sharon, CT.
RYT 200, certified Yoga Works Teacher and Nationally Registered Yoga Alliance Instructor. She holds advanced teacher trainings and certifications in Yoga of the Heart for Cardiac and Cancer Care, and Restorative Yoga. Cindy was instrumental is developing the Yoga program at High Watch Recovery Center and is a teacher for their program. She has been teaching since 2005 at Yoga at Space in Lakeville, CT. Her compassionate style of teaching integrates movement with breath to affect change and promote health on many different levels. Cindy is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Email Cindy here.
Florida
Giri Bek - South Florida, New York & The Berkshires, Mass. RYT-500, Yoga & Meditation Instructor, clean & sober since 1994. Transformational Breath Facilitator and Holistic Nutritionist. Member of Alliance for Addiction Solutions. Giri has been on her healing journey for over 16 years. She has been working with people overcoming self-defeating behaviors for more than a decade, through yoga, nutrition and breathwork. She offers classes to individuals and groups and hosts day retreats. She is the creator of the recently released CD, “Inner Peace in Recovery” see www.GiriBek.com for details or email Giri here
Georgia
Barbara Austin: Atlanta
Registered Nurse for over 30 years with a Master’s in Nursing Administration and certification in gerontology. Clinical experience spans ER/critical care, home and community services, senior residential, and most recently, complex case management in an acute care hospital. Have completed course work for substance abuse counseling. I am a trained intervention program facilitator for the Georgia Nurses Association Intervention Program. I would love to continue the path of exploring ways to helping other nurses with chemical substance abuse issues.
Currently, the combination of nursing and desire to help other impaired nurses, led me to Metro Atlanta Recovery Center, where I have been a weekly volunteer in their professional after-care groups since 2010.
Illinois
Swami Narayanananda – Edgewater, Chicago.
Swami Narayanananda is the Director of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Chicago. Swami saw that many of the people who are drawn to the Yoga Path have experienced the suffering caused by addictions and self-destructive behaviors. His participation in the Yoga of Recovery for Counselors Course opened him up to the 12 step philosophy and particularly how much it parallels yoga philosophy. Swami is keen to guide students on how to integrate their yoga practice with their recovery tools. Email Swami Narayanananda here.
Massachusetts
Laura Douglass, Ph.D. – Arlington
Laura has been studying and practicing yoga since 1997. She is a certified Ayurvedic Educator (through the Ayurvedic Institute New Mexico) and a certified Yoga Teacher with over 500 hours of study. She brings compassion and knowledgeable about the impact of trauma and family dynamics on addictions. She served as the Director of Education at Laurel Hill Inn for seven years, where she developed courses on somatic mindfulness and yoga therapy for individuals with eating disorders. She is on faculty at Lesley University and has a private practice in Arlington, MA. Visit Laura’s website www.yogapsychology.org or Email Laura here
Mississippi
Tania Bayne (Shanti) - Gulfport
M.S. Counseling Psychology, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), NCC – RYT-200, Sivananda teacher, member of IAYT, professional training in Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-based therapy, and Acceptance & Commitment therapy.
Tania works as a licensed therapist with a clinical focus on trauma, addictions, and anger management. She has done extensive research on the benefits of yoga as an alternative therapeutic modality and has a unique integrative psychosomatic approach. She offers workshops in Yoga of Recovery, Yoga for Emotional Wellness, and leads groups in Anger & Stress Management, and Lifestyle Modifications with the Mississippi Wellness Foundation and school systems. She has opened Shanti Yoga & Counseling, an innovative studio dedicated to teaching yoga, meditation and also Professional Counseling Services and integrative mind-body therapeutic modalities, such as Emotional Yoga Therapy. Email Tania here
Kate Read – Oxford
RYT-200 Hatha and Vinyasa certified yoga instructor. Kate currently teaches guided meditation, pranayama and asana classes at Southern Star Studio. She also teaches the integrative Yoga of Recovery program at a residential substance abuse treatment center, Communicare’s Haven House. Kate understands the benefits and applications of the integrative system of ayurveda, yoga, and the 12 step program due to her own personal experiences. Kate believes in holistic health and has incorporated elements of yoga, Buddhism, Ayurveda and the 12-steps into her own personal life. She offers private classes to individuals in the 12-step program at a reduced rate. Email Kate here
Stacy Worley – Natchez
Stacy is a certified Hatha Yoga instructor, RYT 500, and an active member of a 12 step program since 1998. In addition to her Hatha Yoga skills, she practices meditation as taught by Self-Realization Fellowship. She studied with Lex Gillan at the Yoga Institute in Houston, TX and obtained her 500 hour certification in 2011. Co-Owner of the Natchez Yoga Studio from August 2008 to August 2011. Stacy formed New Freedom Yoga to share all the benefits of yoga with members of 12 step communities and for people with addictive, destructive behaviors. She offers workshops, retreats and classes in Yoga Studios and Rehabilitation Centers. Email Stacy here
Nevada
Abby M. Geyer – Las Vegas, NV. Abby has practiced yoga and Ayurveda for 20 years. She is a certified (300-hours) Ayurvedic Health Educator, conducting Ayurvedic workshops in the Las Vegas area, and a RTC-200 yoga instructor. Abby’s desire is to reach out to two different groups: veterans from the Vietnam war era who continue to be affected by PTSD and to the parents and/or grandparents of loved ones who are in substance-abuse recovery. Abby’s own personal experience with co-dependency allows her to bring great understanding and compassion to all those working through their own co-dependency. Abby is also a Reiki Master and brings that healing art to her students. She is the Advertising Manager for the Light on Ayurveda Journal and for the Int’l Association of Yoga Therapists publications. She teaches yoga in Las Vegas to a varied group of students. Due to her emphasis on breath and meditation, plus her slow-vinayasa style of teaching, she attracts the boomer/post-boomer age bracket to her classes, along with those in either substance-abuse recovery or post-injury/surgery recovery. Abby is also certified as a Chair Yoga instructor and teaches this in a Senior community. Email Abby here
New Jersey
Karen Mandell – New Jersey/New York. Karen teaches both vigorous prana flow vinyasa and gentle restorative yoga classes in the NJ/NY area. She has recently introduced a series of YoR workshops as well as a weekly YoR class to her community. Karen is also available for private sessions to counsel individuals who are intested in developing a personal program of recovery from addicctive or self-destructive behaviors using the tools of the Yoga of Recovery. www.yogakaren201.com
Alicia Ortiz – New Jersey & Maui, Hawaii
With a B.A. Psychology and 9 years in recovery, Alicia brings Yoga to her workplace and community by sharing her knowledge of meditation, Hatha and Vinyasa leading yoga sessions during lunch hours and providing Yoga of Recovery workshops. She is currently working towards her 200 hour RYT with the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center.
Lynda Ferrara (Mani) – New Jersey
Lynda (RYT 200) currently teaches the beginners series at Naturally Yoga where she completed her teacher training. A recovering addict herself since 1988, she still maintains her connection to the 12 steps of NA. For several years Lynda has been compassionately giving back to populations in need through the non-profit organization, Kula for Karma. Every Saturday morning Lynda weaves together her experience in recovery and her passion for yoga when she shares a class with thirty women residing at Integrity House in Newark. Always filled with gratitude and hope, she is dedicated to helping others attain the peaceful serenity that she has been blessed with on her journey. Email Lynda here
New York
Grace Welch – Long Island.
After retiring from corporate America at age 67, Grace started teaching yoga in Manhattan and Long Island. Grace offers Yoga of Recovery Classes for people in 12-step programs who want to learn Yoga techniques plus Ayurveda to help them through the process. The course consists of three 2-hour sessions in Islandia and covers the philosophy of Yoga, Ayurveda principle of a healthy life style, and includes one-hour Yoga asana class, breathing, relaxation and meditation. Email Grace here
Lynae Kovatch – Downtown Glens Falls
RYT 200 through Kripalu Yoga Center, 2004; Power Pilates™ trained, 2005; certified in Ashtanga yoga. Lynae has trained with Manju Jois and Mukunda Stiles and has performed social work at a local Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis organization for 3 years.
She received her Registered Certification as an Aroma- therapist through The Michael Scholes School for Aromatic Studies in 1992 and specializes in matching essential oils to body chemistry, custom blended aromatherapy body care and education in a corporate environment. She offers these unique services from her home wellness studio Yoga ‘n’ scents, and at the Glens Falls farmers market. Visit www.yoganscents.com for class schedule (20+ classes per week).
Allison Micco – New York City
I am a Health Coach and Registered Yoga teacher currently living in vibrant and diverse NYC. I began practicing Yoga in college, when I realized the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits the practice had in my life. Since then I have been on a journey to incorporate the traditions of yoga, Ayurveda, other natural health practices and spiritual teachings to help create balance and harmony in our lives and our relationship with the world with which we are a part of. With the belief that every individual has ability to grow their life in love and light, I seek to educate, inspire and motivate others to create the life they were born to live. Email Allison here or visit her website, www.foxyflowerchild.com
North Carolina
Prema Lynn Felder – Winston-Salem
Prema has been working with people in recovery for nearly 30 years and has been working with Yoga of Recovery since 2007. She is author of the DVD, “Gentle Yoga for Cancer Patients: Reconnecting Body, Mind & Spirit,” she empowers people living with cancer and chronic illnesses to participate in their own healing with Yoga. Practicing Yoga was instrumental to Felder’s own recovery from cancer in 1999, she has taught at Wake Forest University/Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC – in four research studies and ongoing classes – since 2004. She is co-director at the Yoga Gallery and teaches back-care/restorative Yoga and Flow classes there. After a 25-year career in corporate journalism, Felder is a free-lance writer for newspapers and magazines with a book project currently in development.
Oregon
Greg Gumbs (Vishwamitra) – Oregon.
Greg (RYT-200) has been involved with the work of recovery for over 10yrs. His experience includes numerous different approaches to dealing with addictions and self-limiting behaviors. The Mentor/Teacher relationship, Treatment Communities, Counseling both Spiritual (intuitive) and Traditional (cognitive) are a few of models that Greg enjoys working in. Greg maintains connections with a vast number of other practitioners working in the fields of recovery and Lifestyle transition, offering significant access to resources for those seeking change. He is a member of an Online Wellness Association, Oregon based healing Arts Alliance. Email Greg here
Virginia
Janice Gilmore (Ananda Prema) - Virginia Beach, VA
Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Counseling and Human Development. Licensed Professional Counselor with 23 years of experience working in the field of mental health and substance abuse. www.brudercounseling.com I am also a very grateful member of Alanon. Certified Reiki Master Practitioner. I have participated in numerous workshops and trainings over a 30 year period in the fields of yoga, metaphysical teachings, psychology, counseling, substance abuse, reiki and other energy healing modalities, dream interpretation, meditation, mindfulness, Buddhism, etc. Email Janice here
Chitra Kate McDevitt - Satchidananda Ashram Buckingham
Integral Yoga Teacher, 2 years sobriety. Chitra was introduced to yoga and meditation in 1999 when she was dancing with a butoh dance company in Erie, Pennsylvania. She quickly realized that yoga would play an important part in her life and in 2003 she completed RYT 200 at Satchidananda Ashram, Virginia. Chitra taught yoga for 7 years in the Lancaster, PA area running her own studio Cat Cow Yoga. Certain events in her life led her in 2010 to quit her beloved job of 7 years as a store manager at The Body Shop and move to Yogaville in her words “to find the truth.” After receiving mantra initiation things started to rapidly become clear and a decision to stop drinking was made and she never looked back. 12 steps, yoga, meditation and dance/visual art make up the foundation for Chitra’s practice and success each day in sobriety. Finding Yoga of Recovery (YoR) in the first year of recovery is a blessing Chitra is grateful for everyday. Durga’s program and specifically her coverage of the doshic tendencies in addiction helped Chitra treat her own recovery with more understanding, compassion and practical tools to keep the system in balance. Chitra currently shares YoR teachings to the Yogaville community and visitors once a month. Email kate here
Canada
Gabriela Weaver – Edmonton, Alberta. Gabriela, RYT, has been teaching yoga since 2006. She teaches large groups in treatment centres. Her teaching style is dynamic, light-hearted and inspiring; using asana, meditation, pranayama and visual relaxation techniques. She is also expanding her training and expertise – training as a Holistic Nutritionist and also training to become an Addictions Counselor. She has a keenly compassionate heart, having herself recovered from debilitating addictions spanning 20 years, and is dedicated to helping others in recovery find peace.www.healingspirityoga.ca Email Gabi here
Taryn Strong – Victoria, British Columbia
300 Hour Moksana Teacher Training Certification – 2007; Certified Mat Pilates Instructor – Feel Good Yoga & Pilates 2010
Taryn was raised by recovering parents, so recovery has been and continues to be part of her everyday life, a life still surrounded by recovering addicts and other people who actively work various 12-step programs. An introduction course on becoming an addictions counselor solidified her interest in helping people recover from addiction, but the western approach didn’t completely resonate with her. Soon afterwards, she found yoga and now integrates the spiritual principles of recovery with yogic philosophy while sequencing poses together that flow smoothly. The result: balance, strength, and flexibility in a calm body, mind and spirit. See www.anahatamoonyoga.com or email Taryn here
Joanne Alexander - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
YTT2007 200 hrs. from Sacred Ground Yoga, Saskatoon Saskatchewan; Recovery date: March 20, 1981; Registered Social Worker for the Province of Saskatchewan; Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), University of Regina
What a life! I have practiced yoga regularly since 1995. Twenty years prior, I joined Alateen and eventually participated in numerous 12 step fellowships to address addictive behaviors with drugs, relationships and eating. I own a home-based self-discovery business. Each year I attend additional training including Jivamutki, Anusara, Kripalu, Iyengar and now Yoga of Recovery. Email Joanne here
Céline Callender - Toronto
Dialectic Behaviour Therapy ; Mental Health & Buddhist Psychology ; Addictions Counseling ; Addictions Management; Solution Focused Brief Therapy ; Motivational Counseling & Adolescent Therapy ; Crisis Counseling & Crisis Intervention
Yoga is a path of integration & transformation of body, mind and soul. I have worked with at-risk and street involved youth for over twenty years in emergency and residential settings. I began working with this population from a faith based perspective as part of an urban volunteer mission to “serve suffering children of the street”, and discovered my vocation. In the last ten years I have completed certification in a variety of therapeutic models and worked successfully with youth and their families to manage non typical mental health, active addiction and recovery in order to improve quality of life for all involved. In the past five years, my personal journey has benefited from Ayurveda, Yoga and 12 Step Recovery Tools. I believe strongly and have experienced the fact that the path to healing and improved quality of life lies within each individual, and, as a therapist it is my privilege to help you uncover your path, draw out those innate tools and facilitate their application towards integration and transformation of body, mind and soul. Email Celine here